Awning arm bracket



Patented F eb. 27, 1934 PATENT OFFICE AWNING ARM BRACKET Louis B. Goldberg, Nathan Goldberg, William Goldberg, and Jacob M. Goldberg, Denver,

Colo.

Application April 1l, 1933. Serial No. 665,498

7 Claims. (Cl. 156-44) This invention relates to improvements in `brackets of the type used for supporting the upper ends of awning supporting arms.

i In awnings of the type which extend. outwardly from a building and over a sidewalk or other places and which have their supports attached to the building, it is desirable to provide an attaching and supporting bracketLwhich, in addition to being rigid and of the necessary strength, is also constructed in such a manner that the slope or dip of the awning can be readily adjusted.

An object of this inventionV is to provide a bracket which can be economically manufactured and which consists of a Vrelatively small number ofparts of simple construction and which is capable of being easily adjusted over a wide range of adjustments for the purpose of tilting or dipping the awning arm supported therefrom and `which shall also be provided with means for positively locking the parts in adjusted position so as to prevent accidental disarrangement of the adjustment.

` `The above and other objects which may become apparent as this description proceeds are attained by means of a construction and a combination of parts which will now be described in detail, and for this purpose reference will be had tothe accompanying drawing in which the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated, and in which:

Fig. 1 shows a side elevation-of a bracket having an awning arm attached thereto and in extended position;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the bracket showing 35 the same on a somewhat larger scale and with a portion of the awning arm indicated by dot and dash-lines; l Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3 3, Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 4-4, Fig. 2; and

- Fig. 5is a section taken on line 5 5, Fig. 4.

In the drawing reference numeral 6 indicates the side of a building wall and reference numeral 'l designates a bracket for supporting the awning arm comprising the two members 8 and 9.

The present application relates more particularly to the construction of the supporting bracket and `the awning arm. will therefore not be described .with any greater particularity than necessary to properly explain the present invention.

` The bracket which has been designated in its entirety by reference numeral 7 consists of a fixed member which has been designated by reference numeral 10 and which is provided at one end with a base 11 that is adapted to be attached 55 to the wall 6 and which, for this purpose, is provided at its upper end with an opening for the reception of a bolt`12 and on its sides with laterally extending lugs which are each provided with a slot 13 for the reception of a bolt 14. The bracket has a web 15 from the edges of which anges extend in the manner shown in Figs. 2 and 4. The end of the xed member is provided with a recess Whose inner Wall is formed by a frustoconical surface 16 asshown most clearly in Figs. 3 and 4. The web 15 is provided with an opening 17 which is concentric with the recess and through which the clamping bolt 18 extends. Located in the recess is an awning arm supporting member 19 having a hub portion 20 whose outer surface is frusto-conical and of the proper size and inclination to t in the recess and contact With the` frusto-conical surface 16. Bolt 18 extends through an opening 21 in the hub and has a head 22 that is located in a suitable recess in the outside of the hub. Extending outwardly from the hub, at diametrically opposite points, are lugs or arms 23 that are perforated for the reception of a hinge pin 24. The awning arm 8 has its inner end curved as indicated by reference numeral 25 and the hinge pin l24: extends through the opening in this portion in the manner shown most clearly in Fig. 4.

The hub 20 is provided on one side with a number of gear teeth 26, as shown in Fig. 2. The wall of the recess is cut away at the rear and the opening through this wall connects with a rectangular recess 27 through which a screw 28 extends. `The lower end of screw 28 has a head y29 and the upper end is preferably turned down below the root portions of the threads to form a cylindrical portion 30 that extends through an opening 31 in the upper wall of the rectangular recess' 2'7. A washer 32 is preferably put in place on the cylindrical portion 30 and contacts with the lower surface of the upper wall of recess 27. A Washer 33 is put in place on the outer end of the bolt 28 and the end is then riveted over the washer as designated by reference numeral '34. Before the screw is put in place, a rectangular block 35, which is provided with a 10g threaded opening for the reception. of the screw. is threaded onto the latter as shown in Fig. 5. This block is provided with a number of gear teeth 36 which cooperate with the gear teeth 26 of the hub. The rectangular block forms a rack which cooperates in the manner shown with the teeth of the hub which forms a pinion so that the assembly is a rack and pinion device. It is evident from an inspection of Fig. 5 that when Y the screw 28 is rotated it Will move the block nu either upwardly or downwardly, depending on the direction of rotation, and thus rotate the hub about the center of bolt 18. Since the pitch of the threads on the screw is comparatively small and the friction is comparatively large, it is evident that the block will not move on the screw when force is applied thereto from the hub and the adjusting device thus becomes self-locking.

Although the block will not move due to any force that is applied to the hub by the awning arm, it has, nevertheless, been found desirable to provide a set screw 37 which can be forced against the block in the manner shown in Fig. 4. When the set screw is used and tightened the block cannot be subjected to any movement whatsoever, and although this is not an essential feature of the construction, it is believed to be desirable to employ this set screw in some instances.

The two sections of the awning arm are connected by a hinge whose pin has been designated by reference numeral 38.

It is evident from an inspection of the drawing, when taken in connection with the descrip.

tion, that by loosening the set screw 37 and then rotating the bolt 28, the block 35 can be moved up and down 'for the purpose of rotating the hub 20 about the axis of bolt 18. It is obvious, of course, that before any adjustments are made, the nut on the outer end of bolt 18 must be loosened so as to release the frictional engagement between the frusto-conical surfaces. After the awning arm has been adjusted to the desired inclination the nut on bolt 18 is tightened, thereby drawing the hub into the recess and forcing the two frusto-conical surfaces into engagement. After this has been done, the set screw 37, if provided, can be tightened and the parts will now be positively held against accidental movement. Due to the strong force produced by the threaded connection between the block 35 and the screw 28, it is possible to exert a great force upon the hub 20 and the awning arm can therefore be readily adjusted by means of a wrench applied to the nut 29.

Particular attention is called to the rack and pinion means for adjusting the awning arm as by this means a very simple construction is obtained which is positive in its action and whose simplicity makes it possible to construct the bracket at a very reasonable cost.

The rack and pinion construction described and shown has been found to be very effective and due to the great force that can be exerted by this arrangement, the adjustment of awning arms can easily be done at the time of installation or any time afterwards, and after the adjustments have been made, they will remain until changed purposely as the construction is such that the possibility of accidental movement of the parts so as to effect the adjustment, is practically negligible.

Having described the invention what is claimed as new is:

1. In a bracket of the type employed in connection with foldable awning arms and which comprises -a xed member having one end provided with means for securing it to a wall and having its other end provided with an adjustable bearing support, the fixed member having a web and a flange extending from one side of the web, the outer end of the member having a -circular recess with a frusto-conical surface, means for adjusting and for clamping the bearing support comprising, a transverse wall extending between the upper and lower iianges and spaced from the circular recess whereby a guide opening is formed whose width is such that it intersects the circular opening, the bearing support having a circular hub whose outer surface is frusto-conical and which is mounted for rotation in the circular recess, the surface of the hub having a toothed segment, an elongated rack block located in the guide opening, one side of the block having teeth which engage the teeth on the hub, the block having a threaded opening extending through it in the direction of its length, the anges at the top and the bottom of the guide opening having openings that form bearings for a screw, a screw extending through the openings in the flanges and in the block, and means for holding the screw from moving in the direction of its length while permitting it to rotate whereby it can move the block and turn the bearing member.

2. In a bracket of the type employed for supporting foldable awning arms and which is provided at one end with means for securing it to a wall while the other end carries a bearing support which can be adjusted about a pivot whose axis passes through the bracket near its outer end, means for angularly adjusting the bearing support with respect to the bracket by turning it about the axis of its pivot, said means comprising a rack movable in a straight line and in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the pivot, means comprising a screw for moving the rack and means for guiding the rack, the bearing support having teeth which cooperate with the rack teeth to form a rack and pinion device.

3. In a bracket of the type employed for supporting foldable awning arms and which is provided at one end with means for securing it to a wall while the other end carries a bearing support which can be adjusted about a pivot whose axis passes through the bracket near its outer end, the bearing support having a hub provided with a toothed segment, an adjusting means comprising, a rack block slidably connected with the bracket and provided on one side with teeth for engaging the teeth on the hub, means for guiding the block, the rack b lock having a threaded openingextending through the same in the direction of its length, means for moving the rack block comprising a screw which passes entirely through the threaded opening and which has its ends journaled in bearings in the bracket, and means for holding the screw against longitudinal movement with respect to the bracket whereby when the screw is rotated, the rack block will be moved longitudinally thereon and the bearing support turned about its pivot.

4. In a bracket of the type employed for supporting foldable awning arms and which is provided at one end with means for securing it to a wall while the other end carries a bearing support which can be adjusted about a pivot whose axis passes through the bracket near its outer end, the bearing support having a hub provided with a toothed segment, the adjusting means comprising a rack block slidably connected with the bracket and provided on one side with teeth for engaging the teeth on the hub, means for guiding the block, the rack block having a threaded opening extending through the same in the direction of its length, means for moving the rack block comprising a screw which passes entirely through the threaded opening and which has its ends journaled in bearings in the bracket, means for holding the screw against longitudinal movement with respect to the bracket whereby when the Screw is rotated the rack block will be moved longitudinally thereon and the bearing support turned about its pivot, and means for clamping the bearing support in adjusted position.

5. In a bracket of the type employed for supporting foldable awning arms and which is provided at one end with means for securing it to a wall while the other end carries a bearing support which can be adjusted about a pivot whose axis passes through the bracket near its outer end, the bearing support having a hub provided with a toothed segment, an adjusting means comprising, a rack block slidably connected with the bracket and provided on one side with teeth for engaging the teeth on the hub, means for guiding the block, the rack block having a threaded opening extending through the same in the direction of its length, means for moving the rack block comprising a screw which passes entirely through the threaded opening and which has its ends journaled in bearings in the bracket, means for holding the screw against longitudinal movement with respect to the bracket Whereby when the screw is rotated, the rack block will be moved longitudinally thereon and the bearing support turned about its pivot, means for forcing the bearing block against the bracket, and means comprising a set screw for forcing the rack block against the bracket and against the hub of the bearing block.

6. In an adjustable bracket of the type employed with foldable awning arms, and which comprises, a xed member having one end provided with means for securing it to a wall, and a bearing support pivotally secured to the fixed member near its outer end, the xed member having an opening, the means for securing the bearing support to the xed member comprising a bolt that passes through the opening in the latter, the bearing support having a hub provided with a toothed segment, means for adjusting the bearing support on the fixed member by rotating it about the bolt, said means comprising a rack block mounted for operative engagement with the teeth on the hub, said block having a threaded opening extending entirely through it in the direction of its length, a screw mounted for rotation in the xed member while held against longitudinal movement with respect thereto, the screw passing through the threaded opening, and means for holding the rack block against rotation whereby when the screw is turned, the rack block will be moved therealong and the bearing support turned about its pivot.

7. In an adjustable bracket of the type employed with foldable awning arms, and which comprises, a fixed member having one end provided with means for securing it to a wall, and a bearing support pivotally secured to the fixed member near its outer end, the xed member having an opening, the means for securing the bearing support to the fixed member comprising a bolt that passes through the opening in the latter, the bearing support having a hub provided with a toothed segment, means for adjusting the bearing support on the fixed member by rotating it about the bolt, said means com- 100 prising a rack block mounted for operative engagement with the teeth on the hub, said block having a threaded opening extending entirely through it in the direction of its length, a screw mounted for rotation in the fixed member while 195 held against longitudinal movement with respect thereto, the screw passing through the threaded opening, means for holding the rack block against rotation whereby when the screw is turned the rack block will be moved therealong and the 110 bearing support turned about its pivot, and means for clamping the bearing support in adjusted position. 

